NYC’s Path of Liberty Hosts Future Generations Essay Contest
Teens from around the city can submit their essays for a chance to win cash prizes!
Inspiring Future Generations
A new essay contest across the city is incentivizing teens to put their writing skills to the test!
The Soloviev Foundation has launched the Future Generations Essay Contest, a powerful initiative that will recognize 21 students across New York City’s five boroughs with awards ranging from $500 to $5,000 to support their future educational pursuits.
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The theme of this year’s essays is: Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US. It is based on the mission of capturing personal stories and reflections on democracy and the ideals that define America. Students can choose from the following themes:
- What does being American mean to you?
- What values or principles do you believe define America?
- What gives you hope for the future of America?
- Can you share a moment in your life where you felt especially proud to be American?
“This initiative is about more than just looking back—it’s about looking forward,” said Michael Hershman. “By supporting Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US and the Future Generations Essay Contest, we are investing in the leaders, thinkers, and changemakers of tomorrow.”
Hosted on Manhattan’s East Side from 38th to 41st Street on First Avenue at Freedom Plaza, this groundbreaking installation serves as a prequel to America 250, the 2026 United States Quarter Millennial, and provides an interactive space where visitors can engage with multimedia exhibits, large-scale photography, and documentary storytelling.
The essay is on par with recent findings about how teenagers feel about the future of the country. A 2021 Thomas B. Fordham Institute study found 75 percent of the teens surveyed said the U.S. is either the best or one of the best countries in the world, only 48 percent think now is a good time to be growing up in America, while just 43 percent are confident that the country’s best years lie ahead. The essays are a thoughtful and creative way to spark conversation about democracy and self-expression and an ideal way for teenagers to learn and explore politics.
“The essay contest really serves two purposes: to draw attention to the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, essentially America’s birthday, while at the same time trying to instill a sense of interest in students about the origins and underlying principles of democracy,” says Michael Hershman, Chief Executive Officer of Soloviev Group. “With civics courses becoming less prevalent, we want to encourage students to learn more about our country and explore what makes our country different and hopefully better.”
How to Enter
The competition is open to public and private school students in grades 6-12 living in New York City. To participate, students must submit an original essay of 500 words or less by April 14, 2025, on www.pathoflibertynyc.com. A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate entries based on originality, depth, and clarity.
Winners will be announced in early May, with an opportunity for top participants to be featured within the Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US exhibition and across our digital platforms. Top participants will also be invited to attend a special event at Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US, celebrating their contributions to the ongoing dialogue on liberty and democracy.
The award tiers are as follows:
- First Place: $5,000
- Second Place: $2,500
- Third Place: $1,000
- Runner-Up: 18 additional students will each receive $500
- The top 250 participants will receive exclusive Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US merchandise
Parents and interested teenagers can head to pathoflibertynyc.com and follow @pathoflibertynyc on Facebook and Instagram for information and updates.
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